Healthy Choice Carrot Juice Recalled for Possible Botulism

Healthy Choice Island Blends, Inc. of Los Angeles, California is recalling all sizes of its Liquid Gold Carrot Juice, including the 128-, 64-, 32-, and 16-ounce sizes. The recalled, potentially tainted, Liquid Gold Carrot Juice was distributed in California and sold, wholesale, to produce companies. The Liquid Gold Carrot Juice was sold in plastic, transparent containers in gallon, half-gallon, and quart sizes. The product has a white label that is branded Liquid Gold and contains a picture of carrots and a glass of carrot juice. The label also bears the UPC 7 63213 00130.

Food borne botulism, explains the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a potentially lethal neuroparalytic disease caused by ingesting foods or beverages contaminated with the Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin. Consumers are warned against using the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

No illnesses have been reported, to date; however, it can take some time from ingestion of a contaminated food product until symptoms being to manifest. The symptoms of botulism poising include drooping eyelids, slurred speech and trouble with speaking or swallowing, and dry mouth. Difficulty in breathing; weakness of other muscles, for instance, muscle weakness that starts at the shoulders and moves progressively down the body’s abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms.

Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone; this all relates to the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk. In food borne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food, but can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days. A very small amount of the toxin is sufficient to lead to very severe poisoning. Of significant note, botulism poisoning is extremely neurotoxic and can cause paralysis of breathing muscles, which can lead to death without treatment. Respiratory ventilation is needed in about eight percent of cases.

People with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children are at increased risk of developing botulism symptoms. Complications can include infection and aspiration pneumonia, long-term weakness, respiratory distress, and long-term nervous system problems. While antibiotics are often used in treatment, they do not always resolve the food borne botulism illness.

Consumers who have purchased Liquid Gold Carrot Juice should not consume the product and are urged to return it to the place of purchase or discard the product. Consumers with questions may contact the Healthy Choice Island Blends, Inc. at 1.213.749.7999, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (PST).